NL Central Preview

Today I will preview the NL Central. A division that has had a group of teams at the top for the last few years and group at the group of teams that have been at the bottom lately. Are there going to be changes this season? well only time will tell. There were alot of changes in the division this winter with player movement so it should be an interesting year in the division.

Chicago Cubs:
103 years without a World Series Championship, Will 2012 be the 104th year??? Probably. The Cubs who were rumored to be the landing spot for Albert Pujols when free agency started, never quite worked out for them. I dont know if it was the money or the years or whatever but it just didnt. The Cubs do still have some talent with ageing Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd, the young and gifted Castro at Short Stop and Soto behind the plate.  The Cubs did do a great thing this off season in unloading Carlos Zambrano to the Miami. The Starting rotation still boasts Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza and a very solid one-two punch. A solid bullpen and Carlos Marmol closing out games is not a bad option. However for the Cubs, its going to be another long season. after winning only 71 games in 2011, I dont see them winning many more that this in 2012.
Prediction - 5th NL Central


Cincinnati Reds:

Ryan Madson will be out for all on 2012 with
Tommy John's Surgery

Dusty Baker's Reds have put together a team that is not only fun to watch but could contend again this season after falling short in 2011. Having won the division in 2010 and losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Phillies, the Reds are hungry to get back to the postseason im sure. With the notable subtractions of big bats leaving from other teams in the division, the time might be right again for the Reds. The Reds have a very powerful line up lead by 1B Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce and even the ageing Scott Rolen. Their pitching staff is powerful as well lead by Cueto, Matt Latos Homer Baily, and Bronson Arroyo. The Pitching core did take a bit of a hit last week as free agent signing closer Ryan Madson said he was done for the year and will require Tommy John's surgery. After signing a one year deal with Cincinnati his season has ended before it even began. This is sad news for Madson who has worked so hard his entire career to be a full time closer in this league and its taken away from him in the blink of an eye. Even with Madson not there this season I still see the Reds as a potential contender for the division and a Wild Card spot.
Prediction - 2nd NL Central

Brett Myers

Houston Astros:
I honestly dont even know where to begin with the Houston Astros. I guess lets start with saying this will be the last season in the National League for the Astros before moving to the American League West in 2013. As part of the the team sale this off season it was mandated that the team move leagues to balance out the number of teams in each league. I will get into that at another time. To say the Astros were bad last season would be an understatement, this season will be much of the same if not worse. Besides Carlos Lee at First base I dont see anyone in that line-up that can scare anyone. The pitching staff has some talent with Wandy Rodriguez, Bud Norris and J.A. Happ but really those are mostly #3-5 starters on most teams. Brett Myers has been moved to the bullpen as the full time closer for this season. He has alot of time in that roll from his days in Philadelphia closing in 2007 and filling in at times later on before departing. The Astros will fight every game to win but the will not come out on top very often this year. So Enjoy the last season in the National league Astros fans, its going to be a bumpy ride to say the least.
Prediction - 6th NL Central


Milwaukee Brewers:

The Milwaukee Brewers lost one of their biggest pieces this winter when first baseman Prince Fielder left for Detroit via free agency. That bat and those power numbers will be impossible to replace in that line up. However the Brewers still have the NL MVP in Ryan Braun, even with all the bad press surrounding him this off season and the failed drug test that got over turned Braun is still a big part of a team that if they can overcome the loss of Fielder has what it takes to get back to the post season and win the division for a second straight year. Last season the Brewers made it to the NLCS before losing to division rival and eventual World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Nothing I have seen says they cant do that again. Their line up is stacked with Braun, Cory Hart, Ricky Weeks, Aramis Ramirez, and Jonathan Lucroy. The starting staff still has Greinke, Gallardo, Marcum and Randy Wolf. the bullpen has good arms and closer Axford is sure to have a good season as well. I see this team doing damage once they figure out how to adapt to life after Prince. It will be an exciting season in Milwaukee, at Miller Park, one of the the most beautiful stadiums I've ever been to.
Prediction - 1st NL Central


Pittsburgh Pirates:
The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming into 2012 with a new attitude. A winning attitude. For a team that lead the division at the All-Star break in 2011 but didnt have the steam to keep it up in the second half of the season the players now know what its gonna take to be better. Will it translate on the field? Thats the biggest question for sure. I personally will get a close look at the Pirates next week, as I will be at PNC Park for the second game of the season when the Phillies visit there. The Pirates are quietly building a nice core with Barmes, Alvarez, Andrew McCutchen to go along with vets like Rod Barajas. The pitching staff is pretty solid as well with Eric Bedard, McDonald, Karstens and Correia. The Pirates did trade for A.J. Burnett but an injury has sidelined him for the start of the season. This could be another exciting season in the steel city, but it just doesnt seem like the right time for them, yet.
Prediction - 4th NL Central


St. Louis Cardinals:
The defending World Series Champions. A Wild Card team that made its way all the way and won. However alot of changes were made this winter. First Manager Tony LaRussa retired and was replaced by Mike Matheny, then long time first baseman Albert Pujols left for Anaheim via free agency. The Cards tried to retain him but it didnt work out for them. But even with no Albert the Cardinals still have a very nice line-up with newly aquired Carlos Beltran, Matt Holliday, David Freese, Lance Berkman and Yadier Molina behind the plate. Thats still pretty scary. Their pitching starts with Chris Carpenter, who will be out for the start of the season and there is no timetable for his return. Adam Wainwright, Jamie Garcia and Kyle Lohse will have to hold the fort till he comes back. While I see this team having a very good year. I just dont think it will be enough to get back to the World Series, or even the postseason.
Prediction - 3rd NL Central


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